M.S., Criminology & Criminal Justice

This master’s program focuses upon crisis communication, crisis leadership, mental health and first responders, and policy application.  Its coursework is designed to enable graduates to better serve as leaders and to gain supervisory authority in their organizations.  Coursework has been designed to increase students’ knowledge and analytical capacity about legal and social problems that plague South Carolina such as addiction, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

Professionals in criminology and criminal justice are in demand, need to be retained as leaders, and are needed to help identify and resolve crises.  This degree program has an application-oriented curriculum that showcases best-practices and policy-oriented research to enable leaders to be successful in guiding their agencies and organizations – in law enforcement, government, or non-profit organizations.

Learn from Lander’s Outstanding Faculty

All courses are designed specifically for this degree and are taught by individuals with experience and expertise in academics and leadership. 

• Linda Carson, Associate Professor of Criminology and Sociology
  • Over 20 years’ experience in corrections systems in Texas and South Carolina providing mental health services, curriculum planning, and supervision
  • Licensed Social Worker; M.S.W., University of Houston and graduate work in human services and criminology
  • Grant reviewer for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • Academic publications and presentations in the field of criminology and criminal justice
  • Faculty member at Lander for over 10 years
• Sarah King, Assistant Professor of Criminology
  • Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina
  • Academic publications and presentations in the field of criminology and criminal justice
• Matthew Malone, Associate Professor of Political Science and Homeland Security
  • Worked for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency in both response and recovery
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Level 1 – Professional Continuity Practitioner certification
  • Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy, Auburn University
  • Academic publications and presentations in the fields of emergency management, political science, and public policy

Program Objectives:

• Effective communication skills to (1) demonstrate skills as leaders in both crisis and non-crisis situations; (2) communicate research-based and policy-oriented findings to their colleagues in a professional manner
• Enhanced application skills to (1) demonstrate understanding and application of contemporary criminological theory to policy design and implementation; (2) demonstrate understanding and application of leadership principles in both crisis and non-crisis situations; (3) demonstrate application skills in identifying responses by survivors and first responders in crisis situations and in applying knowledge about mental health resources for assistance to these populations
• Enhanced research capacity to demonstrate how to collect and/or interpret data, utilize academic and policy-oriented research; conduct analysis; and communicate findings in a professional paper.

Did you know?

• Lander’s program includes a core class in Mental Health and First Responders given that so many first responders are likely to experience critical incidents that could pose mental health challenges and/or work with persons with mental health issues.
• Persons who quality for veterans benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should consult Lander’s Office of Military and Veteran Services for more information.
• For an up-to-date list of graduate tuition and fees, visit the university's Student Accounts.

 

Admissions requirements for the M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree include:

• B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Official transcripts of all coursework must be submitted.

 

Course credit toward this degree
If an applicant has extensive in-service experience or previous graduate education in a related field, up to 9 credit hours of transfer academic credit may be awarded on a case-by-case basis.

All courses in Lander's M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice are specifically designed for this degree, and all are taught online by faculty with expertise and experience in academics, leadership, and criminal justice. All instructors are full-time faculty at Lander and bring a variety of credentials and experience to the classroom.  Development of the program's curriculum was a joint effort with prospective law enforcement, government, and security-related organizations and given greater preparation to serve in leadership roles within law enforcement, government, and non-profits.  Courses relate to the needs of law enforcement professionals and first responders—such as mental health knowledge and awareness—as well as to how best to serve the public’s needs and organizational needs with courses on communication and leadership.  Courses give students the knowledge and analytical capacity about legal and social problems that plague South Carolina such as addiction, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

• Designed to fit your schedule, with a reasonable expectation of completion in two years or less.
• Up to 9 credit hours of graduate course work may be transferable from another institution on a case-by-case basis.
• Every applicant will be assisted with the application process.
• Practical research projects for your employer or an approved organization, embedded in most courses, create a portfolio of work that demonstrates your proficiency to understand best-practices and the application of policy in the field.

The curriculum consists of 6 core courses and 4 elective courses for a total of 30 credit hours. 

 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.

MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS		CREDIT HOURS
CRIM 620	Crisis Communication	3
CRIM 625	Crisis Leadership	3
CRIM 635	Mental Health & First Responders	3
CRIM 650	Contemporary Criminological Theory & Policy	3
CRIM 660	Research Methods in Criminology & Criminal Justice	3
CRIM 695*	Capstone Course	3

*Required Capstone Course

 

MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES		CREDIT HOURS
Choose any 4:
CRIM 640	Human Trafficking	3
CRIM 645	Advanced Criminal Law	3
CRIM 665	Advanced Research Methods In Criminology & Criminal Justice	3
CRIM 670	Victimology	3
CRIM 675	Administrative Leadership in Criminology & Criminal Justice	3
CRIM 680	Special Topics in Criminology & Criminal Justice	3
TOTAL FOR MS DEGREE		30

• Courses are planned so that students can finish in 6 terms (two years), taking 2 courses per term (including summer)
• Except for the introductory course and capstone, there is no required sequencing of courses
• All courses were designed specifically for this degree

Direct any questions to Dr. Lucas McMillan, Dean of the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences at smcmillan@lander.edu or (864) 388-8275.